1 Kings 12:3

that they sent Better, And they sent: see the previous note. Josephus (Ant.viii. 8, i) calls this party οἱ τῶν ὄχλων ἄρχοντες, and represents them as sending to Jeroboam immediately after Solomon was dead. Clearly there was a feeling that some change was at hand, and the knowledge of Ahijah's prophecies had not been confined to Jeroboam and Solomon. Hence men were prepared for what was coming.

and called him Knowing that he would be ready to come, and that his ability and industry (described 1 Kings 11:28 above) qualified him for a leader of their enterprise.

Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel The LXX. (Vat.) omits Jeroboam. But the object of sending for him was clearly that he might be the prime mover in the agitation, and by taking part in the popular petition he would prepare the way for the invitation sent to him as mentioned below in 1 Kings 12:20.